Which bino harness?

[buglebuster]

So who's got experience with each? Looking into buying and not sure what to get. Sitka, kuiu, badlands, hornhunter, fhf?

[WaltAlpine]

Tag

[Karl Blanchard]

I picked up an FHF harness last year and have been very pleased.  Badlands are nice but pricey.  Didn't like the function of the kuiu.  I have heard the sitkas have magnet issues.  Eberlestock nose gunner looks interesting but without being able to see it in person I was a bit shy.  It looks bulky.  I wish the FHF had more coverage on the side but besides that its great.  I like supporting companies like that too

[buglebuster]

I knew I should have just texted you karl 

[Bmcox86]

I have an fhf now and had a agc one this year also. They both worked good but the fhf is less bulky and is very functional, I added the rangefinder pouch to go with it and it works great too.

[MtnMuley]

I've owned/used them all. Sitka for me.

[longwalker]

I've owned/used them all. Sitka for me.

X2

[hughjorgan]

Out of the systems you listed I have only used the FHF and the Badlands. I like the FHF one better than badlands.

If you want a badlands bino harness I will sell you the one I have sitting in my garage for 75 dollars.

[nwhunter]

Of all the ones I have tried out I prefer the Kuiu but havent tried them all. Pic is with my Oregon blacktail from 2014. nwhunter

[trophyhunt]

Couple of my friends have the badlands, they love them.  I have had the kuiu for the past two seasons.  The badlands completely protect the bino's from the elements, my kuiu's let in pine needles and moisture.  I have never tried the fhf, but the kuiu are easily used with one hand.  The kuiu are also smaller and lighter than the badlands.  I prefer the kuiu.

[jackelope]

Thinking about getting an OregonPackworks  Bino Bro Pro. They get pretty good reviews.
The Eberlestock one is getting crummy reviews because of its size. It's apparently rather huge.

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it.

[elkaholic123]

I like my S4 gear lockdown bino harness

[jasnt]

Thinking about getting an OregonPackworks  Bino Bro Pro. They get pretty good reviews.
The Eberlestock one is getting crummy reviews because of its size. It's apparently rather huge.

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it.

i felt the same as you and went with a simple cabela's shoulder harness.  It's fine for good weather but a pain in the neck if there is any rain or snow or trees dripping.  I've been eyeing the fhf

[lewy]

Kuiu for me, no bouncing around or harness creep up your back and a nice little pocket for my wind sniffer. Even comes with a water proof cover

[Boss .300 winmag]

Thinking about getting an OregonPackworks  Bino Bro Pro. They get pretty good reviews.
The Eberlestock one is getting crummy reviews because of its size. It's apparently rather huge.

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it.

That's why I have the Cabelas one light weight and small. 

[280ackley]

Kuiu for me, no bouncing around or harness creep up your back and a nice little pocket for my wind sniffer. Even comes with a water proof cover

I like my Kuiu for all the same reasons.

[jackelope]

Kuiu for me, no bouncing around or harness creep up your back and a nice little pocket for my wind sniffer. Even comes with a water proof cover

I like my Kuiu for all the same reasons.

So just to throw this out there. A lot of the others don't need a waterproof cover because the material they're made of is waterproof.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I have never had water leak problems with the cabelas one in the rain. 

[Becky]

I like my FHF, I'm picky when it comes to wearing something on the chest area and it's nice plus has pockets to stick licenses in and whatever else, plus extra pouch attachment to add for rangefinder etc.

[GUscottie]

What's the FHF one look like? I have the badlands and love it. But...I'm always open to a new toy or two

[jasnt]

What's the FHF one look like? I have the badlands and love it. But...I'm always open to a new toy or two

http://fhfgear.com/hunting/bino-harness/

[trophyhunt]

Thinking about getting an OregonPackworks  Bino Bro Pro. They get pretty good reviews.
The Eberlestock one is getting crummy reviews because of its size. It's apparently rather huge.

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it.

You will get used to it pretty quick, and you'll find yourself checking out more area's with the bino's.  No neck pain and really convenient. 

[280ackley]

Kuiu for me, no bouncing around or harness creep up your back and a nice little pocket for my wind sniffer. Even comes with a water proof cover

I like my Kuiu for all the same reasons.

So just to throw this out there. A lot of the others don't need a waterproof cover because the material they're made of is waterproof.

The material does have the same DWR (water repellent) as a lot of other Kuiu gear.  In a downpour I bet most of the ones that don't have the cover will get wet on the inside eventually.  It's like putting on a rain coat for your harness.

[Karl Blanchard]

Thinking about getting an OregonPackworks  Bino Bro Pro. They get pretty good reviews.
The Eberlestock one is getting crummy reviews because of its size. It's apparently rather huge.

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it.

  It took me about a whole half a day of coyote hunting to be comfortable and fluid with mine.  It also only took about half a day to completely fall in love with a full containment system.

One of the features that sold me on the FHF system is the fact that it still had straps that connected to my bino's.  That way in the heat of battle, if I needed to ditch the bino's quickly, I could just let them hang.  One handed removal and replacement is simple.  Also, I use my bino's on my tripod often, so the little buckles on the straps make removing your bino's is quick and painless. 

When I was shopping I had it narrowed down to the FHF, KUIU, and the Badlands.  One of my hunting partners, who literally takes mid Sept-Mid Dec and hunts 4-5 states on a kamakazi road trip around the west loves his badlands more than anything.  There are some really great systems out there, FHF system just had the features I wanted and did I mention they were made in America

[lewy]

I spent 2 full weeks in the Yukon this fall moose hunting, got plenty of rain as you can expect, didn't bust out the rain cover and still had great performance from the kuiu harness....If you are looking for a shortcoming on their system it isn't here I haven't used the fhf harness but it also looks like a good option

[Elkfever]

Got fed up with my Crooked Horn harness- the weight of my binos and anytime the webbing staps would get wet, they would stretch and be hitting me in the belt buckle.  However, for $20, I upgraded last year to the Cabelas Hybrid Bino Harness.  It still has the stretchy webbing for around your ribs so you can easily pull your binos up but the webbing that comes over your shoulders is made of non stretch webbing to prevent the sagging problem.  I also connected my Crooked Horn Rangefinder holder to the harness, used that system all fall long and really liked it. 

Just bought the S4 Gear Lockdown X bino harness and so far, like the fit, compactness and system that it uses.  I like how the binos are connected to a tensionless system but the harness cover still offers some protection (at least more than I'm used to).  Time will tell how it performs in the field.  Having a hard time finding a good way to connect the CH rangefinder holder to it. 

[Bofire]

I am with Jackalope, hate the damn things. Tried 2 sets. Like a straight jacket.
I made a strap about 6-7 feet long throw it over my neck and shoulder/pack, glass on my high back, pulls around easy, no binding, no damn lump of crap on my chest, I can use em laying down, let em go they fall out of the way, sometimes I tuck em inside my coat.
I think I still have a set, of the harness with a cover for the glasses if anyone wants it.
Carl

[Rainier10]

I like my S4 gear lockdown bino harness

X2 on this.  I know they aren't on your list of options but I really like mine for the same reasons Karl gives about the FHF harness, when they are out of the cover they are still attached with the  non tension straps so you can run and gun if needed.

[Smokepole]

I have been using Crooked Horn bino harness for close to 20 years.  Still works great & the straps haven't sagged much at all.  I would never go back to having heavy binos hanging on my neck.  A bunch of my hunting pards use the same ones & like them.   

[huntnnw]

I will give you my s4 lockdown! garbage!! its a neck strap and the lower elastic straps come loose every 30 min. If the harness rides up on your neck its not doing what its suppose to do.

Im looking at the fhf, vortex and Alaska guide gear is probably tops on my list as buddy just got one and it looked lik eit will function like it should.

[jackelope]

I will give you my s4 lockdown! garbage!! its a neck strap and the lower elastic straps come loose every 30 min. If the harness rides up on your neck its not doing what its suppose to do.

Im looking at the fhf, vortex and Alaska guide gear is probably tops on my list as buddy just got one and it looked lik eit will function like it should.

Vortex doesn't make one.

[huntnnw]

thats odd...wonder what harness Matzinger is using in his show..Its got a Vortex emblem on the front of it. Looked like a nice harness and is never riding up in his neck

[jackelope]

FHF with the Vortex logo. Same deal as Steven Rinella.

[huntnnw]

ahh! makes sense

Vortex should make a harness! 

[Rainier10]

I will give you my s4 lockdown! garbage!! its a neck strap and the lower elastic straps come loose every 30 min. If the harness rides up on your neck its not doing what its suppose to do.

Im looking at the fhf, vortex and Alaska guide gear is probably tops on my list as buddy just got one and it looked lik eit will function like it should.

Haven't had this issue with mine, maybe I have an earlier or later version.  Wish I was closer to you because I would definitely take them off your hands.

[buglebuster]

Steve rinella I'd using a fhf harness just has a vortex patch on it, I asked him about it.

[huntnnw]

I will give you my s4 lockdown! garbage!! its a neck strap and the lower elastic straps come loose every 30 min. If the harness rides up on your neck its not doing what its suppose to do.

Im looking at the fhf, vortex and Alaska guide gear is probably tops on my list as buddy just got one and it looked lik eit will function like it should.

Haven't had this issue with mine, maybe I have an earlier or later version.  Wish I was closer to you because I would definitely take them off your hands.

The s4 seems to work fine on lighter binos, but mine are heavier and it just pulls the harness right up to your neck and the side straps just work loose with hiking and its a constant pulling on them to tighten them

[Rainier10]

I will give you my s4 lockdown! garbage!! its a neck strap and the lower elastic straps come loose every 30 min. If the harness rides up on your neck its not doing what its suppose to do.

Im looking at the fhf, vortex and Alaska guide gear is probably tops on my list as buddy just got one and it looked lik eit will function like it should.

Haven't had this issue with mine, maybe I have an earlier or later version.  Wish I was closer to you because I would definitely take them off your hands.

The s4 seems to work fine on lighter binos, but mine are heavier and it just pulls the harness right up to your neck and the side straps just work loose with hiking and its a constant pulling on them to tighten them

[jackelope]

I am with Jackalope, hate the damn things. Tried 2 sets. Like a straight jacket.
I made a strap about 6-7 feet long throw it over my neck and shoulder/pack, glass on my high back, pulls around easy, no binding, no damn lump of crap on my chest, I can use em laying down, let em go they fall out of the way, sometimes I tuck em inside my coat.
I think I still have a set, of the harness with a cover for the glasses if anyone wants it.
Carl

Well...I don't hate them...

 

[Bofire]

   "  Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest. They look handy but I'm not sure I can deal with having to put my bino's back in there case every time I'm done using them.  Dozens of hunters can't be wrong though, so I assume I'll get used to it."

OK "hate" was a little strong for you, but not me.
Carl

[pianoman9701]

I have the Badlands Bino, the Lockdown bino, and the Nimrod. I like the Badlands and all the options in it, but I wish it were designed to interface and act as the chest strap for their packs. It's too bulky to use with a full day pack while shooting archery. Badlands is great when not hunting in a day pack, like out of a blind. Or for taking on a day hike or scouting trip without the bow. I like the Lockdown, which I used this year for the first time. The shoulder straps are comfortable and it wears well with a day pack for archery. I've had the Nimrod for years and the straps are now stretching out. But, it's low profile and doesn't get in the way of other equipment and I used it for about 10 years. I think it's a close second behind the Lockdown.

[fisheral87]

FHF is a quality rig. Stable, extra pockets, if you gotta boogey you can secure them quick.

Al

[AntlerHound]

Ran the crooked horn for years... Recently bought the nimrod system.. Love it they don't bounce near as much

[buglebuster]

I ended up with the horn hunter and so far I love it

[Spawnstar]

Alaska guide creations!!!

[ejwright]

Kuiu bino harness is only experience that I have but I love it!! The rain cover has been my best friend in western washingtons moody weather. I actually love the little pouches on the side I'll put calls in them or a couple extra rounds, I would put two 00 buckshots in the right side pouch, just in case something larger interfered with a turkey hunt, made me feel comfy, since my sidearm is only a 9mm(I know,I'm working on it). I actually really like using the elastic piece that allows you to remove the pouch, binos are fully exposed but they feel so secure still!! I am 5'10, 155/160 pounds, I believe I have the smallest size and they fit awesome!! I'm still tempted to trim the webbing off cause they hang all off my skinny frame.

[fisheral87]

Biggest problem I'm having is convincing myself I want one of those things strapped to my chest.

I thought it would bother me more but you forget it's there. I assume this would be the case with any of these options as long as it fits well. I struggled with having to put it on and take it off frequently. I am going to try the bungee cord type harness, my hope is that it will be more versatile for situations where I don't need to be strapped in.

Any comments on this option?

Al